Frame system formed from single sheet and transparent cover

ABSTRACT

A three-dimensional, lightweight and thin frame made from a single sheet of formable material such as printed and embossed paper and a flexible transparent cover. The cover is countersunk into and held flat against a mat region in the center of the front of the frame, leaving the surrounding frame region free for whatever two- and three-dimensional ornament is desired. An article holding recess is further countersunk into the center of the mat region such that when an item is placed therein the cover may still lie perfectly flat and away from the item. The article holding recess may be accessed by pulling the cover up from one side of the mat region, where it is held with restickable adhesive, while the other side remains firmly in place, held with permanent adhesive. An article for display, such as a photo, may then be fixed against the back of the article holding recess, which is also covered with restickable adhesive, and the cover then smoothed back down flat. The primary embodiment also includes integral easel legs formed at the perimeter of the frame region which may be folded back to support the frame leaning back in either portrait or landscape position; the legs may further interlock flat behind the frame for transport or hanging.  
     A secondary embodiment includes greeting card functionality, a third embodiment is designed for hanging only, using restickable adhesive on the back of the frame, and a fourth embodiment shows how the article holding recess may be accessed through a slot or hole in the back of the system if a permanently fixed, immobile cover is desired.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of PPA Ser. No. 60/221,077, filed 2000 Jul. 27^(th) by the present inventor and entitled PAPER FRAME.

[0002] This application is a continuation of Regular patent application Ser. No. 09/924,180, filed 2001 Jul. 27^(th) by the present inventor and entitled PAPER FRAME.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

[0003] (Not Applicable)

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

[0004] (Not Applicable)

BACKGROUND

[0005] 1. Field of Invention

[0006] This invention relates to frames for flat items intended for display, such as pictures, certificates, cards, clippings, etc., and more specifically to such frames pre-assembled of few parts and of lightweight construction.

[0007] 2. Discussion of Prior Art

[0008] Traditional picture frames of wood and glass and similar heavyweight construction are ancient and well established and are commonly used to display photos, drawings, certificates and such items of similarly sentimental, aesthetic, or commemorative nature.

[0009] While such frames vary in detail, they are classically assembled from a few standard components: a rigid outer frame of wood or metal or the like with some three-dimensional ornamental value on its face, possibly painted or otherwise further embellished; immediately behind the outer frame a pane of completely smooth glass; behind the glass a mat of fine, finished fiberboard or similar material with a beveled hole cut into it to view the framed item itself behind the mat, the mat keeping the displayed item safe from touching the glass as well as providing additional aesthetic appeal; behind the item, should the item be smaller than the hole in the mat, a larger backing sheet of paperboard or the like; and behind everything else a thick corrugated or similarly rigid and somewhat compressible backboard. The whole assembly is then compressibly held together, typically by latches or the like, which press all the components together in the proper order into a recess in the back of the frame. The frame assembly may then be hung on a wall via hooks or wire attached to the back of the frame, or it may be leaned back in either portrait (tall) or landscape (wide) position on a horizontal surface against an easel or a leg, which in the more versatile frames are typically built into the frame assembly itself.

[0010] So common, familiar and long-standing to the ordinary person are the above components in the above sequence—a three dimensional frame, flat and undistorted glass behind that, mat behind that, displayed article behind that, backing behind that—that absent the proper appearance of one or more of these expected components in the expected three-dimensional sequence, a frame does not appear to be all it should be; rather, it appears to be either intentionally or unintentially lacking something.

[0011] Such traditional heavyweight frame assemblies usually independently perform six primary functions:

[0012] (1) they hold an item flat;

[0013] (2) they provide hanging and/or standing means (typically angled back in either portrait and landscape positions), for continuously displaying the item in a position suitable for viewing;

[0014] (3) they protect the item from dirt and damage, both front and back;

[0015] (4) they independently hold the item such that the whole assembly may readily be moved about and repositioned without the need to directly handle the item;

[0016] (5) they provide means to access and remove an item, allowing displayed items to be changed;

[0017] (6) they provide extensive opportunities for ornamental embellishment: both sculptural (via the three dimensional frame and the three-dimensional layout of frame, glass, mat, bevel and displayed article) and graphic (via the mat, which may colored or printed, and its cut bevel, as well as additional painting or other two-dimensional ornament painted or otherwise marked on the frame), this embellishment enhancing not only to the item itself but also the décor of the area they are displayed in.

[0018] However, despite all the above essential and valuable functions provided by such traditional heavyweight frames assemblies, one may typically find in any home or office just as many, if not more, pictures, certificates, clippings and similar items informally hung on the wall with tape or push-pins or the like than framed in a traditional manner—despite the fact that push-pins and tape usually damage the item intended for display, even though such items are usually displayed because they are highly valued. Frames are often foregone because traditional heavyweight frames suffer from many significant inherent disadvantages related to their heavy-duty nature. Such frames are:

[0019] (A) expensive;

[0020] (B) fragile;

[0021] (C) heavy and/or bulky;

[0022] And since they are fragile, heavy and bulky, they are:

[0023] (D) hard to transport, whether carried to and fro, shipped by a manufacturer or mailed by a consumer; and

[0024] (E) hard to provide a hanging means for, since hanging a frame on a wall usually involves tools, hardware, and significant damage to the wall.

[0025] Additional typical disadvantages of a traditional frame assembly not necessarily related to their heavy construction are that they:

[0026] (F) are hard to use, often requiring a fair amount of work to disassemble, properly position and mount an item within and reassemble;

[0027] (G) unnecessarily visually crop the edges of the displayed item, and;

[0028] (H) can damage the item being displayed because they may require the item be mounted against the mat with permanent glue or tape.

[0029] Therefore, it is apparent that it would be greatly desirable to develop an improved thin and lightweight frame which provides all the above advantages (1-6) and eliminates all of the above disadvantages (A-H) of a traditional picture frame assembly. However, it has previously proven to be a significant challenge to simultaneously eliminate material while adding functionality, and the prior art in thin and lightweight frames and related fields discloses incomplete solutions accepting significant trade-offs, including:

[0030] frames which, though lighter and less fragile than a traditional frame assembly, still require one or more components of inherently heavy, bulky or fragile material, such as thick, breakable plastic, bulky foam or the like, etc;

[0031] complex and costly frames with many parts, expensive components, much or difficult or confusing assembly required on the part of the manufacturer or consumer, etc.;

[0032] frames without key functional components, including frames without means to independently hold an item flat; without transparent cover to protect an item's front or without backboard to protect an item's back; frames with transparent covers that actually touch the item ostensibly protected, potentially damaging the item over time and transferring any impacts on the cover directly to the item; without hanging means or with hanging means that would damage the frame; without standing means or with incomplete stands that do not actually lean the frame back or allow both portrait and landscape positioning, presenting a poor viewing angle and a limited number of display options; without means to disassemble or change the displayed item while not damaging the item and/or the frame; with restickable adhesives that must be applied to the viewing side of an item and will invariably leave some damaging residue, etc.;

[0033] utilitarian frames without or with little inherent ornamental value, including frames without three-dimensional borders or without any three-dimensionality in their viewing side whatsoever, without mat or bevel, without backing for smaller items, without transparent covers or with flexible covers that distort and lose any possibility of a quality glass-like appearance when laid over the displayed item; with unattractive exposed hanging or other functionl means, etc.

[0034] frames not inherently ready for retail sale, including frames consisting of multiple separate parts that would require additional packaging; frames with no inherent labelable area, etc.

[0035] Further, no lightweight, unbreakable frame in the prior art is additionally capable of preserving and visually replicating the expected three-dimensional appearance and visual sequence of the traditional frame assembly.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

[0036] Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present invention are to provide a three-dimensional, lightweight, and thin picture frame of simple construction which:

[0037] holds a displayed item flat;

[0038] provides hidden hanging means which do not damage the frame;

[0039] provides standing means which allow the frame to be angled back in both portrait and landscape positions;

[0040] protects the item from dirt and damage, both front and back;

[0041] independently holds the item such that the whole assembly may readily be moved about and repositioned without directly handling the item;

[0042] provides means to readily access and remove or change the displayed item;

[0043] provides extensive opportunities for ornamental embellishment: both sculptural (via the three dimensional frame and the three-dimensional layout of frame, glass, mat, bevel and displayed article) and graphic (via the mat and its bevel and additional painting or other two-dimensional ornament painted or otherwise marked on the frame), this embellishment enhancing not only to the item itself but also the décor of the area it is displayed in;

[0044] signals that the item within is valued, both through the obvious and special protection provided by a rigid, undeformed planar transparent cover and through the entirety of the frame's classical elements and ornamental presentation.

[0045] is formed from minimal, inexpensive parts;

[0046] is unbreakable;

[0047] is lightweight and thin;

[0048] is easy to transport, whether carried to and fro, shipped by a manufacturer or mailed by a consumer;

[0049] is easy to hang with only a thumbtack or pushpin and with no damage to the frame;

[0050] is easy to use, with no disassembly or reassembly required;

[0051] does not visually crop the item displayed;

[0052] does not damage the item being displayed with permanent adhesives or restickable adhesives applied to the front of an item;

[0053] does not require any inherently heavy, bulky or fragile materials in construction;

[0054] has few parts which are simple and inexpensive;

[0055] requires no difficult assembly for the manufacturer;

[0056] is pre-assembled and ready for use by the consumer;

[0057] is easy for the consumer to understand how to use;

[0058] has a transparent cover which need not actually touch the item protected;

[0059] requires no additional packaging at retail;

[0060] has inherent areas suitable for product labeling;

[0061] is capable of preserving and visually replicating the expected three-dimensional appearance and visual sequence of the traditional frame assembly.

[0062] Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

SUMMARY

[0063] A three-dimensional, lightweight, and thin frame constructed from a single sheet of formable material such as printed and embossed paper and a flexible transparent cover.

DRAWING FIGURES

[0064] In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes.

[0065]FIG. 0 is a perspective cross section of the frame system of the present invention as compared to a typical cross section of a traditional frame assembly of the prior art.

[0066]FIG. 1A is a perspective view substantially from the front of a preferred embodiment of the frame system of the present invention standing in portrait position and with an article for display being inserted or removed from the system.

[0067]FIG. 1B shows the system displaying the article.

[0068]FIG. 1C shows the back of the system standing in portrait position.

[0069]FIG. 1D shows the system standing in landscape position.

[0070]FIG. 1E shows the back of the system standing in landscape position.

[0071]FIG. 1F shows the system, with its legs not yet folded back, exploded into its major subcomponents.

[0072]FIG. 1G shows the system cut for illustrative purposes into its major functional regions and then further exploded.

[0073]FIG. 1H shows the system's adhesive regions.

[0074]FIG. 1I is a plan view showing the front of a fully printed and ready-for-retail version of the system with its legs folded entirely back behind it and with a tabbed label insert held within.

[0075]FIG. 1J is a plan view of the back of the system with its legs folded entirely back behind it.

[0076]FIG. 2 is a perspective view substantially from the front of a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0077]FIG. 3 is a perspective view substantially from the rear of a third embodiment.

[0078]FIG. 4 is a perspective view substantially from the rear of a fourth embodiment.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

[0079]10 traditional frame assembly (prior art)

[0080]12 frame system (present invention)

[0081]14 frame region

[0082]16 transparent cover

[0083]18 mat region

[0084]20 aperture

[0085]22 bevel

[0086]24 display article

[0087]26 backing area

[0088]28P portrait leg

[0089]28L landscape leg

[0090]30 main body

[0091]32 standing edge

[0092]34 hinged edge

[0093]36 countersunk walls

[0094]38 article holding recess

[0095]40 permanent adhesive region

[0096]42 restickable adhesive region

[0097]44 hinge area

[0098]46 peel starting region

[0099]48 label insert

[0100]50 pull tab

[0101]52 perforated hang holes

[0102]54 tuck slot

[0103]56 back labelable area

[0104]58 greeting card portion

[0105]60 score line

[0106]62 back restickable area

[0107]64 release sheet

[0108]66 back access opening

DESCRIPTION—FIG. 0—COMPARISON TO PRIOR ART

[0109]FIG. 0 is a perspective cross section of the frame system 12 of the present invention as compared to a typical cross section of a traditional frame assembly 10 of the prior art.

[0110] The frame system 12 duplicates from the viewing side the two- and three-dimensional visual appearance of the traditional frame assembly 10, such that a viewer viewing either the frame system 12 or the traditional frame assembly 10 from the viewing side would see: a frame region 14, behind that a transparent cover 16, behind that a mat region 18 with an aperture 20 with integral bevel 22, and behind that a photo, print or other display article 24. In each case, the backing area 26 remains hidden, unless the article 24 were smaller than the aperture 20, in which case the backing area 26 would be visible behind the article 24. Note that both the traditional frame assembly 10 and the frame system 12 maintain a protective air gap between article 24 and cover 16.

DESCRIPTION—FIGS. 1A TO 1J—PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0111]FIG. 1A shows the preferred embodiment of the frame system of the present invention standing in portrait position with an article being inserted or removed. FIG. 1B shows the frame system then displaying the article.

[0112]FIG. 1C shows the back of the frame system leaning back in portrait position against an integral easel or portrait leg 28P; also shown is an integral landscape leg 28L, which although not actively supporting much, if any, weight, does serve in portrait position to stabilize and locate the other leg 28P. FIGS. 1D & 1E further show the frame system in landscape position, where the roles of legs 28P and 28L are reversed from their portrait position roles.

[0113]FIG. 1F shows the frame system, with its legs 28P & 28L not yet folded back, exploded into its major subcomponents: a main body 30, legs 28P & 28L, which are formed integrally with the main body 30, the transparent cover 16, and the article 24. Note that in either leg, the standing edge 32 is not cut perpendicular to the hinged edge 34; rather, the two edges 32 and 34 form an acute angle, here shown at approximately 76 degrees. This is so that said when said legs 28P and 28L are folded back into standing position, the frame system leans back, here approximately 14 degrees, and such that said standing edges 32 of said legs 28P and 28L mate precisely when deployed in either portrait or landscape standing position. Further, the standing edges 32 of said legs 28P and 28L are of matching dimensions, which also ensures that they do not look lopsided when they meet up in standing deployment. Naturally, if a different lean angle was desired, the standing edges 32 could be cut at a different angle from their respective hinged edges 34.

[0114]FIG. 1G shows the main body 30 cut for illustrative purposes and further exploded into its major functional regions: the frame region 14, into which is countersunk the mat region 18, through which is formed the aperture 20, the bevel 22 and the backing area 26. Note that the backing area 26 has shallow countersunk walls 36 extending back from the bevel 22 approximately the thickness of the article 24, such that when displayed, the article 24 will be behind the bevel 22 rather than inside it. The bevel 22 and backing area 26 and its countersunk walls 36 together comprise an article holding recess 38 formed behind the aperture 20 and covered by the transparent cover 16.

[0115]FIG. 1H shows the frame system's adhesive regions. A permanent adhesive region 40 on one side of the mat region 18 anchors one side of the cover 16 such that the other side may be lifted away from the mat region 18. A restickable adhesive region 42 then covers the majority of the remainder of the mat region 18 as well as the backing area 26. Several gaps are left which are not covered with any adhesive at all. A thin strip between the permanent adhesive region 40 and the restickable adhesive region 42 is left uncovered, creating a natural hinge area 44 and allowing for an obvious change in peeling force noticeable by the user so that the cover 16 isn't accidentally peeled off entirely in use. Additionally, a thin strip bordering the frame region 14 all around the mat region 18 is left uncovered to allow some tolerance in both glue application and cover 16 placement in manufacture, this thin strip without glue being somewhat wider all along the opposite side from the hinge 44, and this wider strip without glue defining a peel starting region 46, allowing fingers a better purchase when opening the cover 16; further, a corresponding slight gap may also be left between the edge of the cover 16 and the edge of the frame region 14 in this peel starting region 46 to allow fingers better purchase. A tab, not shown, could also be placed on the edge of the cover 16 in this region to start the peel.

[0116]FIG. 1I is an actual size plan view of the front of an embossed paper prototype. This is a fully printed and ready-for-retail version of the system with its legs folded entirely back behind it and, held within, a tabbed label insert 48 of the same predetermined size, shape and approximate thickness as the frame system's intended display article, in this case a standard 3.5″×5″ snapshot. The insert 48 has an integral pull tab 50 extending far enough outward from under the cover to be readily grasped between thumb and forefinger. This tabbed insert 48 serves several functions: it acts as a protective cover for the glue, keeping the glue fresh and the cover protected from any accidental glue deposits; it acts as a label allowing for full retail graphics; it acts as a passive demonstration, showing what the product is intended to hold, for example, a photo; it acts as a teaching implement, initially drawing one's attention to the tab, then facilitating easy opening, then demonstrating how the product is used and constructed when the tab is pulled, without significant risk of damage to any part of the product, since the tabbed insert 48, unlike the cover, can be yanked about roughly as it is not permanently fixed to any part of the system and is intended to be recycled in any case. After using and likely recycling the tabbed insert 48, a user is now familiar with how the system works and may then replace the tabbed insert 48 with their own item for display.

[0117] Note also in FIG. 1I that a great degree of the realism and three dimensional look presented by this prototype is actually provided by the two dimensional printing thereon, which sympathetically aligns with the three-dimensional embossing beneath it so that 2D and 3D accentuate one another. Every shadow actually being cast by actual three-dimensional structures is also being accentuated by printed-on shadow, and every highlight accentuated by printed-on highlights. Without the matching printing, this matte-finish, white paper with relatively shallow embossing would never be able to look like fully three-dimensional chrome sculpture.

[0118]FIG. 1J is an actual size plan view of the back of the same fully printed and ready-for-retail version of the system shown in FIG. 1I. Legs 28P & 28L are shown folded all the way back for shipping or hanging. The landscape leg 28L is tucked into a tuck slot 52, with stress release notches at either end so the slot won't readily tear further, cut into the portrait leg 28P, so both legs will stay flat unless purposefully untucked and deployed for standing. In this tucked and flattened position, the frame system is ready for sale or transport without taking up much room and without likelihood of the legs 28P & 28L being damaged. Flattened, the frame system may also be hung. For hanging, two perforated hang holes 54 are provided, sized to fit over a typical push-pin. Note that the hang holes 54 are off-center to counter the off-center weight of the legs 28P & 28L. From this side, what has previously been described as the backing area 26 here doubles as a back labelable area 56 where additional information may be printed or otherwise applied.

OPERATION—FIGS. 1A TO 1J—PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0119] In operation, the user first receives the frame system flat and with label insert 48 already held therein. The user may then grasp the pull tab 50 to pull up the insert 48, which pulls up the transparent cover 16 along with it. The cover pulls open only to the hinge area 44, and the insert springs free 48. While holding the cover 16 open, the user may then discard the insert 48 and replace it with their own display article 24, which should align without difficulty right into the article holding recess 38 onto the backing area 26. Or, if the article is smaller than the backing area 26, the user may align it as they desire. If there are many such small articles, clippings for example, or a collage, they may all be placed as desired so long as they fit within the article holding recess 38 and are all somewhere sufficiently in contact with the restickable adhesive region 42. After placement of whatever item or items are intended to be displayed, the cover 16 may then be released and smoothed back down onto the mat region 18.

[0120] At this point the user has the option of standing or hanging the system. Either way, the first step is to pull the landscape leg 28L free from the tuck slot 54 in the portrait leg 28P. In hanging, the user may then pop out either perforated hang hole 52, retuck the legs together and hang the frame system on a convenient push-pin. Or, in standing, the user may align the legs to meet roughly along their standing edges 32 and stand the frame in either portrait or landscape position. In practice, the legs tend to catch each other naturally and one need pay little attention to stand the frame.

[0121] Should the user wish to change or add items, they may grasp the cover 16 anywhere in the peel starting region 46 and pull the cover 16 back to re-access the article holding recess 38.

DESCRIPTION—FIG. 2—SECOND EMBODIMENT

[0122]FIG. 2 is a perspective view substantially from the front of a second embodiment of the present invention. This second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment, except that it has additional greeting card functionality. In this version, one of the legs 28P is integrally formed with and extends into a removable greeting card portion 58 separated by a score line 60 along the entire border between the leg 28P and the greeting card portion 58. The other leg 28L may then be tucked up inside the card or behind it.

OPERATION—FIG. 2—SECOND EMBODIMENT

[0123] This embodiment is operated the same as the preferred embodiment, with a few greeting-card-specific additions. In operation: the initial user may open the card, write anywhere on the card, though most likely on the greeting card portion 58, and then send or mail it. The recipient may choose to stand the card in portrait position as is, lean it back in landscape position as is and use the landscape leg 28L if additional stability is required (as it typically is when trying to stand a greeting card in this position) or remove the greeting card portion 58 and use the portrait leg 28P.

DESCRIPTION—FIG. 3—THIRD EMBODIMENT

[0124]FIG. 3 is a perspective view substantially from the rear of a third embodiment of the present invention. This third embodiment is the same as the first embodiment, except that it abandons the legs and their hanging holes in favor of a new method of hanging, as follows: the back labelable area 56 is coated with releasable adhesive and becomes a back restickable area 62 covered by a release sheet 64 which may be printed or labeled.

OPERATION—FIG. 3—THIRD EMBODIMENT

[0125] This embodiment is operated entirely as the preferred embodiment, with the exception that it is not intended for standing and is hung differently. In operation: the user may peel off the release sheet 64 and slap the frame up on nearly any surface, repositioning as desired.

DESCRIPTION—FIG. 4—FOURTH EMBODIMENT

[0126]FIG. 4 is a perspective view substantially from the rear of a fourth embodiment. In this embodiment, the article is placed in the frame system from the rear. This embodiment may be used vs. the overall front-access, hinged-cover approach otherwise described in any of the prior first through third embodiments. In this fourth embodiment, the cover is permanently fixed and immobile, adhered all the way around the mat region with permanent adhesive. A back access opening 66 is cut in the backing area 26, which in this embodiment has no restickable adhesive.

OPERATION—FIG. 4—FOURTH EMBODIMENT

[0127] In operation: the user may slide their article into or out of the frame system from the rear through the back access opening 66.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

[0128] After reading the above descriptions of the invention, the reader will see that the frame system of the present invention: holds a displayed item flat; provides hidden hanging means which do not damage the frame; provides standing means which allow the frame to be angled back in both portrait and landscape positions; protects the item from dirt and damage, both front and back; independently holds the item such that the whole assembly may readily be moved about and repositioned without directly handling the item; provides means to readily access and remove or change the displayed item; provides extensive opportunities for ornamental embellishment: both sculptural (via the three dimensional frame and the three-dimensional layout of frame, glass, mat, bevel and displayed article) and graphic (via the mat and its bevel and additional painting or other two-dimensional ornament painted or otherwise marked on the frame), this embellishment enhancing not only the item itself but also the décor of the area it is displayed in; signals that the item within is valued, both through the obvious and special protection provided by a rigid, undeformed planar transparent cover and through the entirety of the frame's classical elements and ornamental presentation; is formed from minimal, inexpensive parts; is unbreakable; is lightweight and thin; is easy to transport, whether carried to and fro, shipped by a manufacturer or mailed by a consumer; is easy to hang with only a thumbtack and with no damage to the frame; is easy to use, with no disassembly or reassembly required; does not visually crop the item displayed; does not damage the item being displayed with permanent adhesives or restickable adhesives applied to the front of an item; does not require any inherently heavy, bulky or fragile materials in construction; has few parts, said parts simple and inexpensive; requires no difficult assembly for the manufacturer; is pre-assembled and ready for use by the consumer; is easy for the consumer to understand how to use; has a transparent cover which need not actually touch the item protected; requires no additional packaging at retail; has inherent areas suitable for product labeling; and is capable of preserving and visually replicating the expected three-dimensional appearance and visual sequence of the traditional frame assembly.

[0129] Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but rather as illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Many other variations are possible:

[0130] For example: the overall size or shape of the system, or the size, shape, or proportion of its components could change dramatically in appearance while essentially maintaining the same functionality; the materials could be different, for example, using vacuum-formed plastic or stamped sheet metal vs. embossed paper; or the method of two dimensional embellishment could be different, such as painting or dying vs. printing; the system could be made out of multiple parts where single parts are disclosed here or parts could be left out; various aspects of the system and its embodiments could be recombined to make, for example, a frame with the legs of the primary embodiment as well as the back restickable area of the third embodiment; the system could be tailored to house specific items such as baseball cards, or to house unusual or odd shaped articles, such as buttons, stamps or leaves, or used for a multiplicity of odd shaped items, essentially serving the purpose of a bulletin or collage board; the system could be used for an obvious purpose not mentioned otherwise herein, such as a postcard or a photo album cover or page or a menu or advertising display; elements could be multiplied, for example, multiple article holding recesses could be countersunk into a mat region under a single cover, or multiple levels of article holding recesses could be nested within each other to accommodate articles of different sizes, or multiple frames could be attached or formed together; minor details could be changed, for example, glue could be placed selectively, sparingly, or in a pattern; the cover could have the aforementioned permanent adhesive region but no restickable region, or it could be entirely fixed with restickable adhesive; the backing area could have decorative printing on it to accentuate items which may be smaller than it; the slot or hole in the back of the fourth embodiment could be a different or larger shape, or could be made so large that the article could be mounted on the back of the frame, etc.

[0131] Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 

I claim:
 1. A system for holding and displaying substantially planar articles, comprising: (a) a main body formed from a single sheet of material having a front or viewing side and a back or hidden side, said main body comprising: (1) a frame region running substantially around the outward periphery of said viewing side, (2) a substantially planar mat region lying within the periphery of said frame region and countersunk into said frame region, (3) at least one viewing aperture through the plane of said mat region and lying within the periphery of said mat region, (4) an article holding recess behind said viewing aperture, (5) a substantially planar backing area within and at the back of said article holding recess, (b) a substantially planar and transparent sheet forming a cover of the same size or smaller than said mat region, but larger than said article holding recess; (c) cover fixing means for fixing said transparent cover in a substantially planar disposition against said mat region; (d) article retaining means for retaining said article in a substantially planar position such that its viewing side is visible within said viewing aperture; whereby a frame system of minimal cost and complexity yet substantial functional and aesthetic appeal may be achieved.
 2. A frame system for holding one or more substantially planar display articles, comprising: (a) at least one display article of a predetermined size and thickness having a front or viewing side and back or hidden side; (b) a main body having a front or viewing side and a hidden or back side, said main body comprising: a frame region running substantially around the outward periphery of said viewing side, a substantially planar mat region lying within said frame region, at least one viewing aperture through the plane of said mat region and lying within its periphery; (c) a substantially planar and transparent sheet forming a cover of the same size or smaller than said mat region, but larger than the viewing aperture or apertures; (d) cover fixing means for fixing said transparent cover in a substantially planar disposition against said mat region; (e) article retaining means for retaining said article in a substantially planar fashion such that its viewing side is visible within said viewing aperture; whereby a frame system of minimal cost and complexity yet considerable functional and aesthetic appeal may be achieved.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein said main body is entirely formed from a single sheet of material, whereby further savings in cost and complexity may be achieved.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein said mat region is substantially countersunk into said frame region, whereby the edges of said cover are hidden and protected.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein said viewing aperture is an aperture into an article holding recess with a substantially planar backing area, said recess countersunk into said mat region and integrally formed from the same single sheet as said main body.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein a back access opening is provided in said article holding recess, said opening at least large enough to allow said display article to be inserted into and retained by the article holding recess such that the desired portion of said article's viewing side is visible through said viewing aperture.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein said planar transparent cover is flexible and said cover fixing means only permanently fixes a portion of the planar contact area between said mat region and said cover, such that said cover may be flexed open sufficiently to insert or remove said article.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein some portion of said backing area is coated with an adhesive.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein said planar transparent cover is flexible and said cover fixing means comprises: (a) a permanent adhesive along only a portion of said contact area, such that said cover may be flexed open sufficiently to insert or remove said article; and (b) a restickable adhesive along at least a remainder of the portion of said contact area, such that said cover may be held flat and retained sufficiently to prevent said article from slipping out of said article holding recess.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein a removable label insert is provided in said article-holding recess, said insert formed with a pull tab projecting sufficiently out from underneath said cover such that said tab may be readily seen and grasped.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the back side of said backing area is wholly or partly covered with an adhesive, whereby the frame system may be applied to any acceptable planar substrate, such as a wall, fridge, window, cabinet or the like.
 12. The system of claim 1, further including a flap of planar material suitable for writing on integrally formed with said main body, creating a greeting card portion which can be folded back against said hidden side of said main body.
 13. The system of claim 1, further including at least one flap of material integrally formed with said main body and means to fix said flap against on a wall.
 14. The system of claim 1, further including at least one standing leg integrally formed with said main body.
 15. The system of claim 13, wherein said flap also doubles as a standing leg.
 16. The system of claim 14, wherein two such legs are provided and further include interlocking means to keep both said legs folded substantially flat against said main body.
 17. A method for holding and displaying substantially planar articles, comprising the steps of: (a) forming a main body from a single sheet of material having a front or viewing side and a back or hidden side, forming said main body comprising the steps of: (1) forming a frame region running substantially around the outward periphery of said viewing side, (2) forming a substantially planar mat region lying within the periphery of said frame region and countersunk into said frame region, (3) forming at least one viewing aperture through the plane of said mat region and lying within the periphery of said mat region, (4) forming an article holding recess behind said viewing aperture (5) forming within and at the back of said article holding recess a substantially planar backing area, (b) providing a substantially planar and transparent sheet to serve as a cover of the same size or smaller than said mat region, but larger than said article holding recess; (c) providing cover fixing means for fixing said transparent cover in a substantially planar disposition against said mat region; (d) providing article retaining means for retaining said article in a substantially planar position such that its viewing side is visible within said viewing aperture; whereby a frame system of minimal cost and complexity yet considerable functional and aesthetic appeal may be achieved.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the said step of providing a planar transparent cover further entails ensuring that said cover is flexible and wherein the step of providing said cover fixing means further comprises the steps of: (a) applying a permanent adhesive along only a portion of said contact area, such that said cover may be flexed open sufficiently to insert or remove said article; and (b) applying a restickable adhesive along at least a remainder of the portion of said contact area, such that said cover may be held flat and retained sufficiently to prevent said article from slipping out of said article holding recess.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of forming a backing area further entails coating some portion of said backing area with an adhesive.
 20. The method of claim 19, adding the step of integrally forming at least one standing leg when forming said main body. 